David Shabazz

Funeral service for David Muslim Shabazz, Sr. will begin at 12:30pm on Saturday, July 23, 2022 at Escude Funeral Home in Mansura. Burial will follow at St. Paul Cemetery in Mansura. Visitation will begin at 11:00am until the time of service on Saturday, July 23, 2022 at Escude Funeral Home in Mansura.

David Muslim Shabazz, Sr., was born on February 5, 1937, in Marksville, Louisiana. He passed away on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, in Cartersville, Georgia. Born David Dupas in Marksville, LA, the son of the late Pierre and Ellen Dupas. He was one of 8 siblings.  On March 13, 1964, he married Vastie Nelson, who survives. Vastie Nelson was the love of his life for nearly six decades. He joined the Nation of Islam and changed his surname to Shabazz because of his faith. His conviction was to start his own legacy.

David Shabazz, Sr. was highly esteemed by the communities in which he lived. Everyone knew Mr. Shabazz was no-nonsense. David Shabazz was a self-educated entrepreneur, longshoreman, active father, husband, and provider. He was consistently voted in as president of Parent Teacher Associations in New Orleans Public Schools. He was a man of his word. His word was bond. He was a prize fighter known as “Dave the Whip”. David Shabazz, Sr. was a multifaceted man that touched numerous lives. As owner of Shabazz Express Taxi Service, he only played classical and jazz music in his taxi cabs. He loved jazz and classical music.  Mr. Shabazz believed in working hard and making life count. He loved life and people. Mr. Shabazz firmly believed that where there was a will, there was a way. He had zero tolerance for excuses.  Every day he got up and made something happen. To his children, he left the legacy of making life count by putting forth the best effort and making a difference in the world. He was robust, compassionate, and hard-working.

He is preceded in death by his brothers, Raymond Dupas, Gaston Dupas, Joseph Dupas, Jr, and sisters, Yvonne Dupas, Hazel Dupas, Ethel Dupas, Ollie Dupas.

He leaves to cherish his memory wife, Vastie Shabazz; sons, Leander Shabazz (deceased), Jules (Jeanette) Shabazz, Raymond (Audrey) Shabazz, David (Nanami) Shabazz, Kamal (Shenika) Shabazz, and Rashid (Chantál) Shabazz, Rashad (Betty) Qaasim, Dawud Najullah, Lawrence Gaines; daughters, Zina (Otis Sr.) Lewis, Alexis (Neil) Riley, Mali (Willis Sr.) Bailey, and Um’Rani (Mohamed Sr.) Thiam, Konshinea (DeAndrew)Williams, Khaleelah Edwards (deceased), and Khadijah (Michael) Petty; grandchildren, Jules Shabazz, Jr., Brigette Shabazz-Luckett (Lavondric), Najja Davis, Mark Humes, Jr, Clarence Smith, Jr., David Lewis, Raymond Shabazz, Jr., Courtney Shabazz, Demetric Shabazz, Brittany (Daryl) Ames, Josiah Fentress, Jaima Elise Fentress, Khaleelah (Michael) Miller, Willis Bailey, II, Leander Bailey, Zakara Lewis-Shabazz, Kayleigh Shabazz, David Shabazz, III, Rashid Shabazz, II, Gabrielle Shabazz, Giselle Shabazz, Mohamed Thiam, II, and Aladji Thiam, Chanquielle Watts, Jovan Espadron, Dajounique Shabazz, Golden Shabazz, Christen McClendon, Saniah McClendon, Anesiah Abron, Marsha Perdue, Rashad Jr, Dhakari Gaines, Jo’Juan Dew, and Pharaoh Petty; great-grandchildren, Kayla Ames, Jireh Ames, Joshua Shabazz, Rian Luckett, Justice Alexander, Jhalieya Espadron, Olivia Lewis; along with a host of nephews, nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Escude Funeral Home (318-964-2324) 6608 Porterie St. Mansura, LA 71350.